The Daily Nightly began on May 31, 2005. As Brian wrote in his first post it aims to provide a narrative of the broadcast day and a window into the editorial process at NBC Nightly News. Brian weighs in every weekday and NBC News correspondents and producers post regularly.
Brian Williams became the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of NBC Nightly News on December 2, 2004. Read his full biography.
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When asked to write a short blog entry on my experience as a Nightly News intern, I paused to wonder how I might condense all I learned, observed and generally absorbed this summer into a few paragraphs. Maybe the best approach to describe my “Summer at Nightly” would be to acknowledge a key concepts that I have a new appreciation for.
Time. I discovered that it was not unusual to see Brian writing late copy five minutes before air or for a producer to receive a brand new story in the late afternoon and have a perfect package cut just hours later. While this might encourage my habit of procrastination at school, it does reveal the ability of Nightly to piece together 23 minutes of news in the most efficient and intelligent way. The producers and correspondents amazed me with their ability to tell an important story in such short periods of time.
Perseverance. While "I’ll try my best" always seemed like an acceptable answer to me, it is not one often heard in the newsroom. Trying your best is assumed; getting what is needed is expected. Producers and researchers valued our intelligence and trusted that we could dig up the necessary information or source for the story. Talking to complete strangers helped me significantly in developing an enhanced set of communication skills. Unexpectedly, many of the individuals I spoke to somehow strengthened my faith in humanity. It seemed many wanted to help in my quest for information and connect to the institution of Nightly News.
Passion. Each member of the Nightly team possesses the utmost love for not just the news but knowledge of the world. The determination of the entire staff to produce a flawless newscast was inspiring; I’ve never witnessed that dynamic at any other organization. Executive producer John Reiss begins his daily construction of the newscast well before I’m on the train into the city. I remain in awe of Senior Foreign Producer ML Flynn and her extreme dedication not only to topnotch journalism but also to each of her correspondents. She has the uncanny ability to use her motherly-like attitude to calm the members of her international team while also demanding the best from them. A lukewarm fondness for journalism does not cut it at Nightly. It’s their ardent passion for informing others, it’s their unbelievable aptitude to tell stories and it’s their commitment to getting it right that has fittingly placed these individuals at the very top of their profession.
If the passion for the news I describe above is contagious, well, I’ve been bitten hard. I surprised myself with how quickly I fell in love with working at Nightly. It was astounding to discover I was actually eager to transcribe tapes and even rise at 5:30 a.m. to log the early morning call. Why wasn’t I complaining about getting four hours of sleep a night or skipping lunch to research a story? The answer was simple -- I loved it all. Although obviously reluctant to end my internship, I leave with great friendships, clear goals in mind and a definitive ambition (OK, obsession) to be back here one day.
Read more from Summer 2006 interns
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Early Nightly
Casey,
Very well-written blog! A good internship is invaluable. I was a finance intern for another GE division (GEAE) several years back and the things I learned (both professionally and personally) were beyond anything I could have gathered in a classroom. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor to return to NBC; nothing compares to working for GE!
Alexis, Redlands, CA (Sent Aug 2, 2006 3:59:12 PM)
Casey,
Awesome blog! Enjoy the rest of the summer, it's so quiet here now :) Keep in touch!
Monika NY NY (Sent Aug 2, 2006 1:55:29 PM)
Great blog! I miss having you here. What a great summer... wish we could do it all over again. Thanks for all of your help and support. Can't wait to hear all about London. Keep in touch!
Kaylee, Baton Rouge, LA (Sent Aug 1, 2006 3:24:19 PM)
oh god I hope you get some sleep now. I mean, it's all part of the job and everything, but make sure you don't get burned out!
Keep up the good work!
Jonathan Simmons (Sent Aug 1, 2006 12:58:01 PM)
yes, only a truly passionate individual would work on 4 hours of sleep, good luck and maybe see you down the road on your journalistic endeavors....
AJL, NYC (Sent Aug 1, 2006 12:30:03 PM)
Dear Casey,
Clearly, New Canaan, CT has yet another fabulous journalism professional to be proud of! If I knew you, I would print Brian's blogged comments introducing you to us (yesterday), along with a print of the photograph of your intern group with Brian (in his blog of last Friday), and your essay blog above. These should be framed as a gift to you to keep wherever you go....a wonderful reminder of your incredible experience at NBC as well as constant motivation to maintain your drive to be your best. We wish you all the success in the world Casey. Best wishes.
PeeWee Boobosch, Portland, Oregon (Sent Aug 1, 2006 10:36:07 AM)
I interned at NBC News last summer and words cannot describe the exhilaration (stress?) of a "Nightly Crash" (editing a story until 5 minutes before it airs). I'm so glad you got to experience this and hope you learned valuable lessons in the "real world". Good luck with the future Casey!
Ted Land, Chicago, IL (Sent Aug 1, 2006 12:09:43 AM)
Casey,
Good luck with your life and your career! I am a retiree and I see only wonderful things ahead for today's young adults like you. The knowledge at your fingertips would have been magic to my generation as we graduated from college and started our careers.
Barbara, Tullahoma, TN (Sent Jul 31, 2006 11:17:08 PM)
I'm glad you enjoyed your summer internship. Always do your best and I hope you wind up back there one day, too. It looks like you were allowed to do more than the National Guard is allowed to do on our border. I think all they are allowed to do is to staple paper.
Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Jul 31, 2006 10:28:54 PM)
Casey, if you can keep that passion you have, you will be back. Take it to the limit and a step, beyond. I am confident your experince at the rock will stay with you, as has my own daughter's experince sitting in Tom's, now Brian's chair. The profession can be as gritty and demanding as it is rewarding. Now that you now know the deal, pursue that passion and dont let anything get in your way.
Pops Ridgefield CT (Sent Jul 31, 2006 9:59:55 PM)
What an opportunity you had to work with the best of the best! You took full advantage and learned so very much during your internship. As evident in your blog you have found your passion.....Stay focused, I am very proud of you.
FAD
(Sent Jul 31, 2006 9:51:03 PM)
I absolutely love your passion, warmth, and enthusiasm towards the Nightly News team and your time spent there. There is nothing more important than enthusiasm and passion in whatever you do, whether it is journalism, teaching, or even being a waitress. Putting your all into it- not just because you have to but because you want to and NEED to- make the job so worthwhile and rewarding. As a pre-kindergarten teacher in Charlotte, NC, I put as much passion and enthusiasm into my lessons and instruction and children as you seem to have done working for the Nightly News. I hope you continue to find such rewarding jobs throughout your career!
Rebecca Taylor, Charlotte, NC (Sent Jul 31, 2006 8:47:34 PM)
Well done Casey! Good luck in the fall, and don't forget our deal.
GH, New York (Sent Jul 31, 2006 8:06:52 PM)
Casey
I loved your "lessons learned at Nightly" essay - an intern in any profession would do well to gain such pearls of wisdom in 12 weeks. At fifty, I have become much more aware that time management is the key to success, but without a passion to inspire you, how would one prioritize what to do? Finally, as Yoda once said, "do or do not, there is no try".
You have helped make this summer special for your fellow interns as well, playing local host to new friends from around the country, and everyone appreciates you for your collaborative style. I think you've got what it takes, so good luck making your way back to "30 Rock" - on the payroll!
David Haake, Houston, Texas (Sent Jul 31, 2006 7:50:49 PM)
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